Good News! Pipeline Approval Rejected!

Today was a good day for the orcas! Victory came for the Salish Sea and when the Salish Sea wins, everyone wins!

The Federal Court of Appeals of Canada rejected the government’s approval of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline!

The reasons for this decision:

1. The Canadian government failed to consider the impacts of marine vessel traffic on the Southern Resident Killer Whales and their environment, citing “the risk of significant, if not catastrophic, adverse environmental and socio-economic effects should a spill occur.” (No surprise for Safe Shippers!)

2. The Canadian government failed in its constitutional duty to “engage in a considered, meaningful two-way dialogue” with First Nations affected by the project. (Power to the People!)

The Salish Sea protectors who, along with their legal teams, secured this victory for all of us:

Tsleil-Waututh Nation

City of Vancouver

City of Burnaby

The Squamish Nation

Coldwater Indian Band

The Stó:lō Collective

Upper Nicola Band

Stk’emlupsemc te Secwepemc of the Secwepemc Nation

Raincoast Conservation Foundation

Living Oceans Society

Because of today’s decision, pipeline construction is halted indefinitely — until (if) the approval’s failures are fixed. Tar Sands Alberta is throwing a fit and the Canadian government is blithely going ahead with its purchase of the pipeline from Kinder Morgan, so you can bet there will be more court battles ahead. The First Nations are committed to taking this all the way to Canada’s Supreme Court, if necessary — and we’ll continue to Warrior Up with them!

Safe Shippers, you’ve been taking actions against this pipeline and for the Salish Sea since 2013! Thank you!